I remained at my father's house a few days only, knowing that even in Massachusetts the laws did not protect me from another similar outrage, if Mr. Packard could procure the certificate of two physicians that I was insane; for, with these alone, without any chance at self-defense, he could force me into some of the Private Asylums here, as he did into a State Asylum in Illinois.
"Marital Power Exemplified in Mrs. Packard's Trial, and Self-Defence from the Charge of Insanity"
Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard
Dickens was greatly delighted with the Asylums of the United States, and he strongly advocated the adoption in England of American methods of treating the insane.
"Dickens As an Educator"
James L. (James Laughlin) Hughes
The keepers of Asylums in the time of Dickens were equally severe on the wise friends of the insane.
"Dickens As an Educator"
James L. (James Laughlin) Hughes